Co-administration of Aluminum Sulfate and Propolis Regulates Matrix Metalloproteinases-2/9 Expression and Improves the Uterine Leiomyoma in Adult Rat Model

Luteolin modulates the TGFB1/PI3K/PTEN axis in hormone-induced uterine leiomyomas: Insights from a rat model

Uterine leiomyomas (UL), or fibroids, are non-cancerous tumors of the uterine smooth muscle, affecting approximately 70% of women of reproductive age. They are the most prevalent solid tumors in the gynecological tract and a major indication for hysterectomy. The pathogenesis of UL involves uterine inflammation, uncontrolled cell division, and suppressed apoptosis. This study evaluated the protective effects of luteolin, a flavonoid known for its anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties, against diethylstilbestrol and progesterone-induced UL in female rats. Twenty-four female Wistar rats were divided into four groups: (1) control, (2) luteolin (10 mg/kg, PO), (3) UL (diethylstilbestrol 1.35 mg/kg + progesterone 1 mg/kg, SC), and (4) UL + luteolin (10 mg/kg). The treatment duration was five weeks. Histological analyses were performed using hematoxylin and eosin (H&E) staining and Masson's Trichrome staining to evaluate uterine architecture and fibrosis. Histological results demonstrated normal uterine architecture in the control and luteolin groups, with marked neoplastic cell proliferation and fibrosis in the UL group, significantly mitigated by luteolin treatment. Luteolin reduced uterine weights and exhibited antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, pro-apoptotic, and anti-proliferative effects. Immunohistochemical analysis revealed that luteolin significantly reduced α-SMA protein expression, suggesting its role in modulating fibrotic pathways by inhibiting TGF-β1 and PI3K and enhancing PTEN production. These findings highlight luteolin's potential as a non-invasive therapeutic option for UL and suggest the need for further clinical studies to establish its efficacy, optimize dosage, and evaluate its safety profile in humans.

Mineral medicine: from traditional drugs to multifunctional delivery systems

Mineral drugs are an important constituent of traditional Chinese medicine (TCM). Taking minerals that contain heavy metals as drugs is a very national characteristic part of TCM. However, the safety and scientific nature of mineral drugs are controversial owing to their heavy metals and strong toxicity. In 2000, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) authorized arsenic trioxide (ATO) as first-line therapy for acute promyelocytic leukemia. This makes the development and utilization of mineral drugs become a research hotspot. The development of nanomedicine has found a great prospect of mineral drugs in nano-delivery carriers. And that will hold promise to address the numerous biological barriers facing mineral drug formulations. However, the studies on mineral drugs in the delivery system are few at present. There is also a lack of a detailed description of mineral drug delivery systems. In this review, the advanced strategies of mineral drug delivery systems in tumor therapy are summarized. In addition, the therapeutic advantages and research progress of novel mineral drug delivery systems are also discussed. Here, we hope that this will provide a useful reference for the design and application of new mineral drug delivery systems.